Billy Bow - Free verse

It was in the streets of London
In 1892
A skinny little barrow boy
As keen as morning dew
Would set his market barrow each day in the square
Billy Bow
The barrow boy was keen and always there
His lovely coster barrow
Painted black and green full of fruit and vegetables
The freshest ever seen
You could often hear him calling
From his market stall
His voice would float amongst the crowd to punters
One and all
Summer winter autumn spring
He'd never let them down
He was part of the colourful fabric of
Good old London town
Billy was an eager lad a worker that was true
Give him a barrow and a sack of spuds
He'd know just what to do
Born near the sound of the "Old Bow Bells"
A cockney through and through
He earned the nick name
Billy Bow
Barrow boy proud and true
Billy Bow O' Billy Bow
Born where the Bow Bells ring
Over stalls and through the streets you could hear
His sweet voice sing
Cabbages tomatoes spuds and runner beans
Cherries ripe bananas dates
And tangerines
As time passed by so Billy did too
Fading with the years as good men do
But some folks say they can still hear his calls
Through the bustle of the streets
And the busy market stalls
A simple little story of a little barrow boy
With his lovely coster barrow
His precious pride and joy
Cabbages tomatoes spuds and runner beans
Cherries ripe bananas dates
And tangerines
Some people say when the bow bells ring
You can hear Billy's voice
Still sweetly sing.

      TjHatton  06/08/13.